Claud Allister

Claud Allister (born William Claud Michael Palmer, 3 October 1888 – 26 July 1970) was an English actor with an extensive film career in both Britain and Hollywood, where he appeared in more than 70 films between 1929 and 1955.

Life and career He was born in London. After receiving his education at Felsted School in Essex, he began his career as a stockbroker's clerk in the City of London, but gave up a life in the Square Mile on deciding that he preferred the stage, upon which he made his début in 1910.

He toured England's repertory theatres playing minor parts up to the outbreak of World War I, when he was commissioned into the British Army as a subaltern, and saw active service with the Suffolk Regiment and the Machine Gun Corps.

Post-war he returned to acting, appearing in the West End in Bulldog Drummond, and in 1924 went to America to perform on the stage there initially. In 1929 he made his film début in The Trial of Mary Dugan. In 1934 he appeared in the West End in the historical play Mary Read.

Allister died on 26 July 1970 at Santa Barbara, California, aged 81.

Filmography

The Trial of Mary Dugan (1929) as Henry James Plaisted Bulldog Drummond (1929) as Algy Charming Sinners (1929) as Gregson Three Live Ghosts (1929) as Spoofy In the Next Room (1930) as Parks (the butler) Slightly Scarlet (1930) as Albert Hawkins Such Men Are Dangerous (1930) as Fred Wyndham Murder Will Out (1930) as Alan Fitzhugh Ladies Love Brutes (1930) as Tailor The Czar of Broadway (1930) as Francis The Florodora Girl (1930) as Lord Rumblesham Monte Carlo (1930) as Prince Otto von Liebenheim Reaching for the Moon (1930) as Sir Horace Partington Chelmsford Captain Applejack (1931) as John Jason Meet the Wife (1931) as Victor Staunton I Like Your Nerve (1931) as Archie Lester Platinum Blonde (1931) as Dawson, the Valet The Sea Ghost (1931) as Percy Atwater On the Loose (1931) as Mr. Loder's friend The Unexpected Father (1932) as Claude Two White Arms (1932) as Dr. Biggash Diamond Cut Diamond (1932) as Joe Fragson The Return of Raffles (1932) as Bunny The Midshipmaid (1932) as Chinley That's My Wife (1933) as Archie Trevor Excess Baggage (1933) as Col. Murgatroyd, RSVP Sleeping Car (1933) as Baron Delande The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933) as Cornell The Medicine Man (1933) as Hon. Freddie Wiltshire Those Were the Days (1934) as Capt. Horace Vale The Return of Bulldog Drummond (1934) as Algy Longworth The Lady Is Willing (1934) as Brevin The Private Life of Don Juan (1934) as The Duke, as Dukes Go Every Night at Eight (1935) as Mr. Vernon (uncredited) The Dark Angel (1935) as Lawrence Bidley Three Live Ghosts (1936) as Lord 'Spoofy' Brockton Dracula's Daughter (1936) as Sir Aubrey Yellowstone (1936) as Guest with Monocole Lady Luck (1936) as Briggs Let's Make a Night of It (1937) as Monty Bulldog Drummond at Bay (1937) as Algy Longworth Danger: Love at Work (1937) as Salesman The Awful Truth (1937) as Lord Fabian (uncredited) Kentucky Moonshine (1938) as Lord Boffingwell (uncredited) Men Are Such Fools (1938) as Rudolf Blond Cheat (1938) as Lord Basil Sheldon (uncredited) Storm Over Bengal (1938) as Redding Arrest Bulldog Drummond (1939) as Sir Basil Leghorne Captain Fury (1939) as Suco Lillian Russell (1940) as Arthur Sullivan Pride and Prejudice (1940) as Mr. Beck (uncredited) The Reluctant Dragon (1941) as Sir Giles (voice) Charley's American Aunt (1941) as Cricket Match Spectator A Yank in the R.A.F. (1941) as Officer/Motorist (uncredited) Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941) as Bitten Englishman (uncredited) Confirm or Deny (1941) as William (scenes deleted) Don't Get Personal (1942) as Sir Cecil (uncredited) Forever and a Day (1943) as William Barstow The Hundred Pound Window (1944) as Hon. Freddie The Captain from Köpenick (completed in 1941, released in 1945), aka I Was a Criminal as First Railroad Employee Kiss the Bride Goodbye (1945) as Adolphus Pickering Don Chicago (1945) as Lord Piccadilly Gaiety George (1946) as Archie Dumb Dora Discovers Tobacco (1946) as Sir Percival Quartet (1948) as 1st. Clubman (segment "The Colonel's Lady") The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949) as Ratty (voice) Hong Kong (1952) as Hotel Manager Down Among the Sheltering Palms (1953) as Woolawei (uncredited) Kiss Me Kate (1953) as Paul The Black Shield of Falworth (1954) as Sir George